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Tag: Governors

  • Gbajabiamila, Governors, others pay tributes to late COAS Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru

    Gbajabiamila, Governors, others pay tributes to late COAS Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru

    An avalanche of tributes were paid to former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and ten others who died in an air crash in Kaduna on Friday.

    According to an army statement confirming the death, the ex-COAS was en-route Kaduna from Abuja when the unfortunate incident happened.

    “The Nigerian Army regrets to announce the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru,” the statement, signed by army spokesman, Brigadier-General Ibrahim Yerima, said.

    “The sad event occurred following an air crash in Kaduna which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew.”

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier in statement described the COAS’ death ‘sad and sorrowful’.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened over the air crash that claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers,” a statement signed by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, said.

    Nigeria lost a dedicated officer – Gbajabiamila

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the death of the Army Chief was unfortunate coming at a time that the Nigerian military was finding solutions to the security challenges in the country.

    In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Lanre Lasisi, Gbajabiamila said having taken over from the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, a couple of months ago, Attahiru has shown a lot of commitment in tackling the security situation in the country.

    Gbajabiamila, who said he had a few meetings with Attahiru in search of solutions to the challenges, noted that the late Army Chief came across as a core professional officer.

    He said the Nigerian military, especially the Nigeria Army, has lost a dedicated and committed senior officer whose services to fatherland will be sorely missed.

    ‘Highly Pained’ – Governor Lalong

    The Northern Governors Forum, in a statement signed by the office of its Chairman and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, said it was distressed over the sad incident.

    Lalong said this is another sad day in the history of the nation as it has lost patriotic Nigerians who gave their lives to the defence of the territorial integrity of the country, and also ensuring that its citizens live in peace and security.

    “Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru was a committed soldier whose passion for defending Nigeria was very clear throughout his military career even before his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff,” he said.

    “Since his appointment, we have engaged him as Northern Governors Forum and individually as Governors towards enhancing the security and safety of our States, region and the nation at large.

    “Within the few months he held sway, we have seen improvements and high resolve to bringing an end to insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

    “We had been working on consolidating this before this tragic incident that took his life and that of others working with him. We are highly shocked and pained.”

    Lalong while condoling with the the President and Commander in Chief Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Army, families of the deceased officers and men, as well as the entire Nigerian Armed Forces said the sad event is deeply regrettable but should not deter the Armed Forces from giving their best in the service of the nation just as the deceased COAS, officers and men did before their tragic death.

    He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort their families.

    Devastating to Nigeria – Governor Bello

    Niger State Governor and Chairman of the North Central States Governors’ Forum, Abubakar Bello, said the death was devastating to the nation at its trying moment of insecurity.

    Governor Sani Bello disclosed this in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mary Noel-Berje.

    He said the death of COAS and others was coming at a time when the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff along with other Service Chiefs have developed renewed efforts in tackling insecurity in the country.

    The Governor said the late Chief of Army Staff has, within his short time in the office, demonstrated and showed remarkable commitment and professionalism in the course of discharging his duty.

    He called on the family, the Nigerian Army, friends and associates to accept the death as the will of Allah and bear the irreparable loss.

    The Governor enjoined all to pray for the repose of his soul and other officers, and for Allah to give their families the strength to accept their divine call as all souls shall taste death.

    A national tragedy – AGF Malami

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN described the crash and deaths as a national tragedy.

    Malami received the news of the crash of the military aircraft in Kano while attending to guests in preparation for the wedding ceremony of his second son, Abiru Rahman Malami billed for tomorrow, according to a statement from his media office.

    He described the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru and members of his team as dedicated patriotic Nigerians whose efforts to improve the security situation of the country was manifest.

    Malami prayed Allah to grant eternal salvation for all that lost their lives in the air mishap.

    He also prayed that the family members have the fortitude to bear the loss

    The Minister said the late Army Officer who died in active service to the nation will always be remembered as a selfless and patriotic Nigerian who is passionate in duty.

    A shining star – Governor El-Rufai

    In his reaction to the disaster, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, said Lt.Gen. Attahiru was a shining star whose sudden death has robbed Nigeria of an officer striving to bring new drive to secure the country against terrorists and other threats to national security, according to a statement signed by the state’s Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

    “The Governor said the news of General Attahiru’s death has left him deeply shaken, with a sense of great personal loss, coming so soon after his appointment had brought immense pride and a sense of hope to the people of Kaduna State,” the statement said.

    “Governor El-Rufai on behalf of the Government and People of Kaduna State, has extended his condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari, all branches of the military, especially the Nigerian Army, and the family of General Attahiru, as well as the families of all the officers who have lost their lives in this national tragedy.

    “He prayed to Allah to forgive their shortcomings and grant them eternal rest, and comfort their families as the nation, grapples with this colossal and very painful loss.”

    Death gives meaning to life – Chief (Dr.) Richard Oma Ahonaruogho SAN

    While the nation mourns the death of Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and others who died in a military helicopter that crashed in Kaduna, yesterday, May 21, 2021; the relief that his beloved wife, Mrs. Fati Attahiru, who was earlier but erroneously reported as one of the dead is alive, came as a soothing balm for a beleaguered nation.

    There is no gain saying that the air mishap, is one too many for a nation at war with the Boko Haram insurgents and other criminal elements at this time in our nation’s history and it is hoped that adequate steps would be taken upon completion of due investigations to protect our military hardwares and personnel.

    With twenty-two days to his fifty-fifth birthday on August 10, 2021, the life of the late Chief of Army Staff, whose appointment to that highly exalted office, lasted barely four months (116 days) from his appointment as the 25th Chief of Army Staff on January 26, 2021, to May 21, 2021, may be considered short lived, but he no doubt lived a significant life and died in the line of duty for his beloved nation for it takes love for one’s country to enlist in the armed forces.

    Being too grief stricken for now, a nation in mourning, will hopefully awake to a brighter and better tomorrow from the sacrifice of the life and times of the late Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru who was a highly decorated Officer, as we mourn his demise on the one hand and contemporaneously celebrate the life of his wife, Mrs. Fati Attahiru.

    Nigeria shall overcome.

     

  • Insecurity: Nigeria’s 36 governors to meet Wednesday

    Insecurity: Nigeria’s 36 governors to meet Wednesday

    Governors of the 36 states of Nigeria are to meet on May 19, to address matters arising from a variety of challenges facing the country.

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) disclosed this in a statement issued by the Head, Media and Public Affairs of its Secretariat, Mr Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo in Abuja on Monday.

    Bello-Barkindo said the governors at their 30th teleconference meeting scheduled to start by 2pm, would discuss issues such as ongoing conversation over the contentious Executive Order 10 and the third wave of COVID-19

    He said the meeting would be the seventh this year and would also discuss an update of the States, Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, (SFTAS) report among other things.

    “The meeting will cover lessons for states and actions for governors on sustainability as well as the adoption of SaaS E-procurement.

    Bello-Barkindo added that the governors’ PTF Committee, headed by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta would brief the forum on health matters arising from the coming of the third wave of COVID-19.

    “Furthermore, there will be a presentation from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Sabo Nanono about the 2nd Phase of Farmers’ Enumeration.

    “There will also be another presentation by the Director-General, Bureau for Public Enterprises, Mr Alexander Okoh on unlocking liquidity through sale/optimisation of state-owned redundant/sub-optimal assets.”

    He added that the NGF Director General , Mr Asishana Okauru would also give feedback on the series of Executive Order 10 meetings with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige.

    This, according to him, is about the ongoing industrial action by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.

  • Stop waiting for Aso Rock, convene national summit to save Nigeria — Atiku tells governors

    Stop waiting for Aso Rock, convene national summit to save Nigeria — Atiku tells governors

    Former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerian governors to convene a national unity summit “to iron out the thorny issues” affecting the country.

    He said the governors should stop waiting for the federal government to act, while urging them to work together irrespective of tribe, religion, or political affiliations.

    Atiku’s counsel is coming in the wake of the meeting of southern governors in Asaba, Delta state capital, to discuss the state of the nation.

    After the meeting, the governors had called on President Muhammadu Buhari to be fairer in political appointments, convene a national dialogue, embrace the calls for restructuring and ban open grazing.

    In a statement on Sunday, the former vice-president said national issues cannot be solved if everyone has a “regional mindset”.

    “The truth is that if at a national level, we address these Nigerian tendencies immediately and dispassionately, we would not have Nigerians congregating at a regional or sub-regional level to address these issues,” he said

    “Governors representing some states have met. And I completely understand the necessity of their meeting and the wisdom of their decisions. But no matter how much you try to clap with one hand, the vibrations will not be the same as when you clap with two hands.

    “These problems were created by those with a regional mindset, and will not be solved by those with a similar mindset.

    “For too long, we have erroneously thought that the power to make effective changes lies at Aso Rock. But without the states, nobody can get to Aso Rock. That is why for anyone to emerge as president of Nigeria, he or she must secure enough votes in two-thirds of the states that make up the Nigerian federation.

    “Let us apply this wisdom to our present challenges. I call on Nigerian governors to stop waiting on Abuja to make changes, and instead convene a national unity summit of all Nigerian governors to iron out the thorny issues affecting the destiny of our nation until they figure out a way to resolve them.

    “Forget about your party. Forget about your tribe. Respect your religion and allow it to bring out the better part of you. Meet together. Talk together. Come up with the solutions to all our collective challenges.

    “And then go back to your states, and consult with your federal and state legislators, with a view to getting them to work with their colleagues to implement the solutions you came up with. That is how to save Nigeria.

    “To keep waiting for this federal government to take the lead, and effect the changes that Nigeria needs to stop drifting, is to keep waiting for Godot. And that is a luxury we cannot afford.”

  • Why Governors, other elected public officials should not join calls for restructuring – Senate President

    Why Governors, other elected public officials should not join calls for restructuring – Senate President

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan has cautioned governors and other elected leaders against joining the agitations for secession or calling for restructuring of the country.

    Lawan, who stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, said he was not against those calling for restructuring but elected officials must not be among those advocating for such calls.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Lawan’s position is coming barely three days after the 17 southern governors after a meeting in Delta State banned open grazing and also demanded immediate restructuring of the country.

    According to him, state governors must ensure that they restructure their respective states first before calling for restructuring at the federal level.

    He said: “The call for secession or the call for restructuring, many are genuine calls even though I never believe that someone who is calling for secession means well or is a misguided person.

    “But I believe that when somebody calls for improving the structure that we have is a genuine call.

    “But I want to advice here, I believe that as leaders those of us who were elected must not be at the forefront of calling for this kind of thing because even if you are a governor you are supposed to be working hard in your state to ensure that this restructuring you are calling for at the federal level you have done it in your state as well.

    “This is because what you may accuse the federal government of whatever it is, you may also be accused of the same thing in your state.

    “So, we are supposed to ensure that we have a complete and total way of ensuring that our systems at the federal, state and even local government work for the people, and that we allow people to participate in governance so that whoever feels that he has something to offer to make Nigeria better does so freely without any hindrance.’’

    The senate president said Nigerians must come together regardless of their religious, ethnic or political persuasions to find lasting solutions to the nation challenges.

    He, therefore, called on all elected leaders across the three tiers of government to always avoid primordial sentiments capable of creating division and social discontent among Nigerians.

    “We should avoid partisanship, we should avoid regionalism. We are all leaders and we are in this together. The solution must come from us regardless of what level of government we are – whether at the federal, state or even at the local government level,’’ he added.

    Lawan also frowned at the way and manner local government system was relegated to the background in the country, saying for the nation to address its security challenges the local government system must be functional and efficient.

    “I want to take this opportunity also to say that we have diminished the local government system. I think we can attribute some of the security issues to the lack of functional local government system.

    “For me, I think the time has come for us to take up the challenge to ensure that the local government system functions. This is in keeping with looking for ways, for means, for solutions to the security challenges that we face. We must never neglect the local government system.

    “I believe that this is one system that had worked even though in a different name. When it was Native Authority it was very effective, very efficient.

    “So, we must go back to our local government to ensure that the local government continues to be autonomous, continues to be functional in order to compliment whatever the States and the Federal Government would be doing.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who also spoke to the correspondents, called for a national spirit of oneness, saying that “If truth be told, we all have equal shares in the blame for what’s happening today.

    “Whatever challenges we have, we must all come together to make sure that we resolve these issues we’re facing.

    “We must imbibe that spirit of oneness, togetherness, unity and love that would take us through this.”

    He enjoined Nigerians to always be their brothers’ keepers and avoid acts capable of creating social unrest.

  • I stand with the governors of the South South, not Akpabio, on NDDC – Edwin Clark

    I stand with the governors of the South South, not Akpabio, on NDDC – Edwin Clark

    Elder statesman and prominent South South leader, Chief Edwin Clark has clarified that he does not support the strong grip of Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Minster of Niger Delta Affaris on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The outspoken former federal minister said rather, he stands with the governors of the South South states.

    Clark made the clarification in a statement he personally signed and released on Tuesday night.

    Read full statement below:

    “My attention has been drawn to a publication/communique that is
    trending on-line, allegedly stating that I am in support of the stronghold the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and its finances, by a group that calls itself South-South Front (SSF) after a so called meeting where they said of me “The leaders were keen to applaud attitude the Ijaw National Leader, Chief Clark, has shown thus for as well as his support for the NDDC management.”

    “I wish to disassociate myself from this group which I do not even know.
    My position on the activities of Minister Akpabio, has been consistent,
    and is in the public domain.

    I am in support of a forensic audit to unravel the stinking corruption
    in the Commission, but not the activities of Akpabio.

    I recall that I made this known when the Sole Administrator, Effiong Okon Akwa, came to pay courtesy call on me soon after his appointment. I advised him to insulate himself from the Honourable
    Minister and face the work he had been appointed to do. Also, just a few days ago, during the commissioning of a road project in my Community Kiagbodo, by the NDDC, in my address which was read by my son, Chief Ebikeme Clark, former Chairman of Burutu Local Government Council, and presently Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State, I asked that the Honourable Minister should leave the
    Commission to do its job.

    I condemned his decision to use the funds of the Commission on the East-West Road. The funds of the Commission are meant to develop the Niger Delta region, which is seriously underdeveloped.

    The Federal Government is allocating huge sums of money to work roads such as the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, etc, which they call legacy projects, leaving out the East-West Road, which as a matter of fact ought to be the first legacy project of the country, as it is, today, the major haul through which the product sustaining the economy of the Country is transported to various parts of the country.

    For the avoidance of doubt, I reproduce my address delivered at the
    Road Commissioning at my hometown Kiagbodo:
    “SPEECH BY CHIEF (DR.) EDWIN KIAGBODO CLARK, OFR, CON, AT THE
    COMISSIONING OF THE CHIEF AMBAKEDEREMO ROAD, KIAGBODO TOWN, DELTA STATE, CONSTRUCTED BY THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT
    COMMISSION (NDDC).

    DATE: THURSDAY, 6TH MAY 2021.

    PROTOCOL

    Let me begin by welcoming you all, especially, the Acting Managing Director,
    Effiong Okon Akwa, and the leadership of the NDDC, to my hometown, Kiagbodo,
    which has many unique features. We have the spectacular records of being one
    of the main towns in the whole of Nigeria, where two major ethnic groups, Ijaw
    and Urhobo, exist together, and in all our dear community is sufficiently
    bilingual. Beyond that, we all have either maternal or paternal links with both
    groups. This is why here in Kiagbodo, we live in the best fraternity and do all
    things in common. It is our prayer that one day, all of Nigeria will be like our
    town, living in a united country where the citizens live together, where everyone
    is equal, and can aspire to any position.
    Your visit here today, which is preceded by the Flag-off of donation of Education/
    Essential Science Equipment in Warri, is part of the very remarkable
    achievement, which you have recorded on your short period as Acting Managing
    Director of the Commission. This is very much appreciated. You are a shining light
    here in the Niger Delta and continue to contribute tremendously to the political
    and social evolution of our people and the existing peace in the area.

    Let me also welcome other dignitaries here present, some of whom are illustrious
    sons and daughters of this community, Kiagbodo, especially, Prof. Victor
    Peretomode, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Delta State University,
    Abraka, Delta State, and who was a onetime Commissioner at the NDDC.
    Today again, affords me the opportunity to say a few general things on the state
    of affairs in the NDDC.

    During your visit to me at my residence in Abuja, on your assumption of office, I
    strongly advised that the construction of the East-West Road is a Federal
    Government project, like every other Federal road projects such as the AbujaKaduna-Kano Road, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, etc, but which the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, is funding
    directly from accruals mostly gotten from oil (derived in the Niger Delta) revenue,, running into billions of naira, and which the Federal Government calls Legacy Projects. Is the Niger Delta region not qualified to have a Legacy Project?

    A situation where the Federal Government spends so much on such roads, while
    the East-West Road, running from Edo-Delta-Bayelsa-Rivers-Akwa Ibom and
    Cross River States, is not funded by the Federal Government, and thus remains
    deplorable, and has become death traps to users, and a waste of time and resources, as commuters go through the horrendous experience of travelling on
    the road is quite unacceptable. For instance, the portion between Warri and
    Benin, which ordinarily takes about 45 minutes to travel, now lasts for about 5
    hours. I once again use this medium to call on the attention of the Federal Government to kindly look into the state of the East-West Road.

    The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has been going round other parts of the country, to either commission the commencement of road projects, or inspect the conditions of roads. He is yet to be seen in the Niger Delta.

    I challenge the Honourable Minister to mention the roads the Federal Government has constructed in the Niger Delta, particularly in Delta State.

    I also wish to use this medium to once again, call on the Honourable Minister of
    Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godswill Akpabio, not to use the meagre resources of the Ministry meant to develop the Niger Delta region, to work the East-West
    Road, which is obviously a Federal Government project. There are several areas in the region, which needs to be developed with the resources of the Ministry.

    In addition, Acting Managing Director, recall that when you came to visit me, I
    also advised you to detach yourself from the raging politics and as a professional,
    focus on the job ahead of you. By that I mean, for you to stay away from the
    continued feud between the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the Governors of
    the nine Niger Delta States over the control of the Commission’s day to day
    administration.

    Furthermore, is the state of malfeasance and crass corruption for which the NDDC has become known. I was not, therefore, surprised when some of the elements within your system recently came up with a 15-page advertisement and contracts, which I will advise that you do not allow yourself to be lured by some officials of the Commission, to embark upon. I hear that you rejected them and has almost brought these practices to a stop. I am mentioning this because I know that the people behind these activities are entrenched in the system and will definitely try to undermine your efforts.

    We will keep watching out for those who are bent on truncating and sabotaging
    the efforts we have made in the past to set up machineries for the development
    of our Niger Delta region. I recall how the eminent late HRH Pere (Dr.) Harold Dappa-Biriye as the leader of the region, and I as the Deputy, worked towards
    the establishment of the Commission. The number of times we met with the then
    President of the country, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and the number of times we
    had to go and lobby with our Northern friends, before the Commission was
    established. We had hoped that the Commission will be the guiding light for the social and economic development of the region. Today a few individuals, some
    of them, pitiably and unfortunately, sons of the region, are doing everything to
    derail the Commission.
    As you commission this Bekederemo Road, Kiagbodo, today, I want to assure you that we the communities of Kiagbodo, and our neighbours, will ensure that we
    play our part , that the road will be well protected for the good of the people.

    This is what I hope many of the communities in the Niger Delta will learn to do whenever Government projects are sited around them.

    As I conclude, I will like to emphasise that no payments should be made to the so
    called Emergency Contracts, a scheme which has already gulped billions of naira.
    I do hope that these fraudulent ‘Emergency Contracts’ are brought before the on-going Forensic Audit.

    I will also like to call on the Federal Government to ensure the sustainable
    funding of the NDDC. It is of great concern that the Commission is still being
    owed a lot of money. This is unlike similar bodies such as the recently set up
    North East Development Commission which the Federal Government has
    ensured full funding as and when due. A country where different standards exist
    for similar organisations is not in our collective interest. This is more so when the NDDC is the body responsible for the development of where the wealth of the
    country comes from.

    On your part, I want to repeat the advice, which I gave to you when you came to
    see me on your assumption of office and that is for you to remember that you will one day leave this office, and will be required to give account of your stewardship. You must, therefore, finish, strong and clean.

    Let me once more thank you all and wish you the best.”

    “I align myself with the call by the South-South Governors for Minister
    Akpabio to stop his interference at the Commission. I wish to also state
    that the forensic audit should be completed as soon as possible to
    enable a substantive Board to be put in place, in line with the Act
    setting up the Commission.”

  • Ngige threatens to drag states not paying new minimum wage to court

    Ngige threatens to drag states not paying new minimum wage to court

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has faulted governors yet to pay the new minimum wage to workers in their states.

    Speaking on a monitored Channels Television programme on Sunday, the minister stated that any employer paying its employee below N30,000 was doing so in contravention of the law.

    “If you read the Act well, you will see the applicability of the Act. The applicability is that all parts of the Federation (Section II); Section III also says N30,000 shall be paid, the operating word is shall.

    “It does not give room for picking and choosing, it is a must. The state governors that are not paying are breaching the law of the land,” the minister said.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Minimum Wage Repeal and Re-Enactment Act, 2019 into law on April 18, 2019.

    The Act makes it compulsory for all employers of labour in the country to pay a minimum of N30,000 to their workers and gives workers compelled to accept salary less than the amount the right to sue their employer to recover the balance.

    It also authorises the Minister of Labour and any person nominated or designated by the minister to take action against such an employer on behalf of the worker to recover the balance of the wages.

    The law, however, excludes persons employing less than 25 workers, persons who work in a ship that sails out of jurisdiction, and others in other kinds of regulated employment that are accepted by the Act.

    Two years after the President assented to the Act, some states have begun to pay civil servants the new minimum wage while others still struggle to do so as a result of inadequate funds.

    In his reaction, Ngige faulted governors negotiating with the labour unions in their states over the payment of the minimum wage to workers.

    According to him, they are getting the issues mixed up as the minimum wage is different from the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

    “This is a national law that states what you will pay to the lowest-paid employee (worker) in your establishment; state governments are employers… they are caught in the web of this law until repealed.

    “Any state government or employer that negotiates minimum wage like some of them are doing with their unions, they are running afoul of the law,” the minister stated.

    Asked what the next action would be for erring governors, he said, “I am negotiating with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF); the law permits me to take them to court.

    “I can take any employer to court. If governors have immunity, I can start from the secretary to the government, to the head of service, and go down to the State Executive Council; take them all to court and I do not need any permission.”

  • #ThePlatform: Agbakoba blows hot: ‘Nigerian Governors Constitutionally Irresponsible’

    #ThePlatform: Agbakoba blows hot: ‘Nigerian Governors Constitutionally Irresponsible’

    A former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) took a swipe at state governors on Saturday saying they do not respect the Nigerian Constitution and have not shown that they are responsible towards it.

    Agbakoba said despite court judgement, the state governors are yet obey court orders in respect of financial autonomy.

    “The state governors have paralysed the judiciary and they are looking for more power. They haven’t shown that they are constitutionally responsible because they are not obeying the constitution.

    “The governors seem to have retreated and do no more than go to Abuja and collect. We want to see more action on the part of our governors.

    “I am happy that Kayode Fayemi my good friend will be on because he is the Chairman of the Governors Forum yet they are not obeying the constitution,” Agbakoba said this during ThePlatform, a programme organised and hosted by the Senior Pastor of Covenant Nation, Poju Oyemade.

    He added that the country’s problem lies with its leadership, insisting there is nothing wrong with the constitution.

    The former NBA president believes with the right leadership, Nigeria can soar above its challenges.

    “The trouble with Nigeria is not the constitution. The trouble with Nigeria – leadership.”

    While making reference to the United Kingdom, the legal practitioner explained that the place is working well even without a constitution because there is strong leadership.

    He said the power of strong leadership played out in the US when governors were able to curb the excesses of President Donald Trump.

    “It was strong leadership by the governors that restrained Trump’s undemocratic practices,” he added while charging the governors in Nigeria to do more than relying on the Federal Government.

    “So, a lot depends on accountability; on leadership qualities coming out of our governors because, at the end of the day, the federal government is only a small fraction of the Nigerian equation,” Agbakoba said.

  • [EXCLUSIVE] May Day 2021: How Nigerian Governors are handling New Workers’ Wage

    [EXCLUSIVE] May Day 2021: How Nigerian Governors are handling New Workers’ Wage

    April 18 2021 makes it two years since President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the bill to increase Nigeria’s minimum wage.

    The new wage bill puts the minimum monthly salary of an average Nigerian worker at 30,000 naira ($98); from 18,000 naira.

    But as the world marks the 2021 Workers Day today, it is clear that, in Nigeria at the moment, very little of the fate of workers especially those at the subnational (state) seems to be worth celebrating. With the current economic reality in Nigeria where the movement of goods and services is completely at the mercy of the stabilization fuel price, the collapsed Naira value and the mounting insecurity, one will agree that the non-implementation of the new minimum wage by some state governors and the deliberate “robbing Peter to pay Paul” strategy employed by other governors, calls for national empathy for the Nigerian workers today.

    From Kaduna to Kano, Zamfara down to some north central states, up to some southern states, it’s been one excuse or the other. It is either threat of sacking state civil servants or deliberate non-payment of their wages as ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari sanctioned new wage law.
    President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Quadri Olaleye, in February this year noted that some of the states found wanting include Benue, Cross River and Ekiti. Some others have only implemented the new wage for workers on levels one to six with backlogs of arrears on promotion. Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun are with huge remittance on deductions. The story is not different in Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Kano, and Zamfara.

    In Kaduna, Governor Nasir El-rufai, recently announced his notice of disengagements of workers in the state public service. According to Governor El-Rufai in a statement made available to ThenNewsGuru.com, TNG on April 13 this year, his administration being the first to implement the new minimum wage in September 2019 is now faced with a significant increase in wage burden.

    “While the Kaduna State Government believes that public sector wages overall are still relatively low, their current levels are obviously limited by the resources available to the government. What each public servant earns might be puny in comparison to private sector wages, but the total wage bill consumes much of the revenues of the state.” El-Rufai said.

    “The desire to pay more is a sentiment that must bow to the limits prescribed by the ability to pay….Therefore, the state government has no choice but to shed some weight and reduce the size of the public service”. He added.

    This has sent cold shivers down the spine of a lot of the workers in the state who are battling with the vagaries of the current harsh economic reality in the country and in their state. The security threats from bandits which has made Nigerian farmers not to be able to engage in farming and other agricultural activities which they are known for, has added to the fears of the workers.
    Although Governor El-Rufai promised to ameliorate the expected effects the disengagements may cause on the affected workers, however, marrying words with action has always been the bane of the average Nigerian politician.

    In Kano, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje just recovered from a mild rift with labour over non-implementation of the new minimum wage and his deliberate deduction of workers salary in March 2021. After a day-long negotiation on April 8, labour shelved its decision to embark on a warning strike after the governor and his team promised to refund the deduction they did in March. However the old minimum wage of Eighteen Thousand Naira (N18,000) is what the Kano state workers have to make do with for now.

    In Taraba, Governor Darius Ishaku had to make a pledge of working out modalities to start paying the new minimum wage between April to June before the workers ended the over two weeks strike they began on March 22 this year. The Taraba workers expect the governor to get back to them by June this year as promised. The also told the governor to stop hiding under the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) crisis to deny them their right of the new national minimum wage.

    Currently, on the good books of the Nigerian Labour congress are; Borno, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Sokoto, Yobe and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who have commenced the implementation of the new minimum wage.

    As Nigeria marks the workers day today, it is hoped that other state governors will be moved to motivate their state workers who have been the backbone of their various stewardships.

    This year’s Workers Day will particularly commemorate the efforts of Nigerian Workers throughout the COVID-19 crisis, where their importance in the smooth running of healthcare and other sectors of the economy has been highlighted globally.

  • JUST IN: Governors bow to pressure, announce date to implement financial autonomy for Judiciary

    JUST IN: Governors bow to pressure, announce date to implement financial autonomy for Judiciary

    The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has said it will ensure the implementation of financial autonomy for state legislative and judiciary institutions by May 2021.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG gathered that the chairman of the NGF, Dr Kayode Fayemi gave the assurance after a meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari at the Statehouse.

    He maintained that the Governors forum has never been opposed to the issue of financial autonomy and that the governors, the speakers, and judges are on the same page.

    He further disclosed that upon emerging from a meeting with the Solicitor-General of the Federation, the representatives of the judiciary, the representatives of the Conference of Speakers, and House of Representatives today, an agreement has been reached, thus reiterating that Nigerians can expect implementation of the agreement no later than May.

    The NGF’s comments regarding the matter come few hours after members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) staged a peaceful march at the National Assembly in solidarity with judiciary workers who are protesting in favour of financial autonomy in the country.

    The lawyers who had earlier converged at the Court of Appeal gate before proceeding to the Parliament’s complex in their numbers were stopped from entering the Assembly by security operatives.

    Leadership of the NBA had earlier on Friday directed its branch chairmen nationwide to lead “visits” to government houses in their states over the 36 governors’ alleged unwillingness to implement judiciary’s financial autonomy.

    A statement by the president of the association, Olumide Akpata, directed the branch chairmen to lead the “visits”, which are more like peaceful protests, on Monday, and on all other subsequent Mondays until the demand for the judiciary’s financial autonomy is met.

    It urged the branch leaders “to effectively mobilise their members” for the “visit to the governors at the state government houses” to press home the demand.

    TNG reports that JUSUN since April 6, 2021, left the courts in Nigeria under lock and key because of the non-implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary as the third arm of government. They commenced a nationwide strike today, April 19, 2021.

  • Senate to Governors: Autonomy for judiciary non-negotiable

    Senate to Governors: Autonomy for judiciary non-negotiable

    The Senate on Monday told the 36 Governors to grant autonomy to judiciary, saying independence of the judiciary is not negotiable.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, made the call while answering questions from reporters in Abuja.

    Bamidele said it is laughable to be grappling with judicial autonomy at this stage of the nation’s development.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) had declared an industrial action and nationwide protests to compel governors to obey the 1999 constitution (as amended) and Executive Order 10 which granted autonomy to judiciary in the country.

    While responding to a question, Opeyemi said: “It is laughable that at this point, we are still grappling with the need to grant independence to the judiciary arm of government at the state and local government levels.

    “The National Assembly has been making laws that would guarantee full autonomy to the judiciary at the Federal level.

    “The National Assembly does not make laws for the states; such power resides in the state Houses of Assembly.

    “Judiciary at the Federal Capital Territory is independent because we have done what we are supposed to do.

    “What is next is for the State Houses of Assembly to do what they are supposed to do.

    “As a principle, as a policy, members of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, have tried not to call on those who are protesting to stop such protests.

    “We do not want protests but definitely, we would rather talk more to State Governors, Houses of Assembly and other stakeholders to do the needful in the overriding public interest.

    “We cannot continue to call on the judiciary to give peace a chance when we know the conditions under which they work cannot guarantee a passionate and enhanced delivery of justice.

    “We are talking about judicial reforms; we are talking about the need for justice sector reforms.

    “This is central and crucial to the independence of the judiciary in this country. We must not be left behind by the rest of the civilized world.

    “Nobody stands to lose anything by granting independence to judiciary at the state level since it has been done at the national level.

    “The fact that workers and staff of federal judiciary are joining the protest is only in solidarity with their colleagues at the state levels.

    “It is a union matter and we do not have a control over it. We are hereby calling on the State Governors to do the needful because the independence of the judiciary is non- negotiable.

    “No democracy can survive without being founded on the rule of law and independent judiciary.”